Cannon Beach is one of those magical coastal towns that feels like stepping into a postcard. Yeah it looks exactly like the postcard. From the moment I arrived, I knew this was the spot to have bonfires. The beach itself is wide and inviting, and Haystack Rock towers out of the ocean just off the shore, a stunning icon that draws everyone's eye. But it's not just the shoreline that makes Cannon Beach special. You can walk along the neighborhoods and enjoy the cute little shops. Downtown is small but charming. I loved walking through the artsy streets filled with galleries, specialty shops, and cozy cafés. I was able to slow down away from city life, shop for a handmade memento, and sit with a latte watching the waves. On a breezy afternoon, I saw people flying their kites and took advantage of the open beach breeze, so fun to watch. If you want a beautifully scenic beach getaway that's both peaceful and inspiring, Cannon Beach is absolutely worth a stop. read more

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Cannon Beach is stunning -- especially Haystack Rock with its dramatic waves, wide shoreline, and fresh ocean air. It's the kind of place you naturally want to return to. The only downside is beach access. If you follow Google Maps from downtown, it may lead you to a stair-heavy entrance with no ADA access and very limited parking -- not ideal for strollers, wheelchairs, or anyone with mobility needs. Tip: skip the default route and go to W. Gower Street instead. It's flat, easy, stroller-friendly, and takes you directly onto the sand without stairs. Also, expect strong wind along the shoreline. A hooded windbreaker is highly recommended -- even on calm-looking days, the wind can be surprisingly intense. Overall, Cannon Beach is a 5-star destination. Just knowing the right access point and coming prepared for the weather makes the experience even better. read more

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Cannon Beach was an absolute no-brainer destination during our August anniversary trip to OR. I have long wanted to visit this beautiful beach, and I finally went with my husband and our well-behaved, well-trained Siberian. Experiencing the pristine beach on a balmy August weekday was the perfect day to enjoy Cannon Beach, and we were so glad we chose a weekday over a weekend. We parked a ways away from the famed Haystack Rock in one of the alleyways by the houses lining the beach, since we saw a ton of people congregated by the rock itself. There was plenty of beach to enjoy, and I wanted to get some good photo of Newt with Haystack Rock in the background. We had no reason to mingle with other people when the whole point of enjoying Cannon Beach was to have a stretch of beach to ourselves. Unlike at many beaches in California, dog owners at Cannon Beach were very respectful of our space. I absolutely do not allow Newt to ever meet strange dogs, let alone off leash. He was placed in a down stay while other dogs and owners passed (as he is trained to do), and I noticed that owners who didn't have voice control over their dogs kept their dogs on leash. Both off leash dogs and on-leash dogs kept a wide berth from us, and I was very pleased with this, as in California, many dog owners and their dogs are extremely rude and allow their dogs to get into Newt's space, which I usually have to body block him from. As such, Newt had the time of his life zooming around the waves and enjoying the beach, and I as a responsible dog owner was very happy to see him enjoying himself. I got some amazing photos with my camera, some of which I'm sharing here. I would love to return in the winter to capture some moody shots at Cannon Beach! read more

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Cannon Beach was ranked in the top 100 most beautiful places in the world. Typically, I am skeptical about rankings like that but I was in Portland and decided to go check it out. Located an hour and a half away from downtown Portland, the drive is nice, green, and beautiful. I highly recommend going just for the drive alone. Cannon Beach itself is stunning. The sand is one of the softest I have ever walked on at a beach. It is also incredibly clean, like almost unrealistically clean. I don't think I saw a single piece of garbage during my visit. With that being said, the sand was ideal for walking and running barefoot. What a great feeling to be able to without the concern of being stabbed on the bottom of the foot! The ocean water was clean but a bit cold during my visit. Now for the highlight: haystack rock. It really is a sight to behold. Among the flat topography of the shore, it really stands out as a monolith-like structure with so much wildlife atop of it. It is also really cool to observe the starfish, mussels, and other sea life below on the smaller rocks. Every time I am near the area, I plan on visiting Cannon Beach and soaking in the majestic beauty. read more

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Beautiful beach to walk on. Dog friendly. Free parking. Wish I had more time to explore and watch a sunset but it was very cold this day. Definitely spend more than a day here read more

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This is a wonderful beach to visit. it's a holiday weekend so more crowded than normal. let's move down the coast. read more

Gorgeous. Very busy, but a great place to just put a towel down and sit. Dogs aren't on leashes, so just know that read more

Cannon Beach - Beaches Near Me

Haystack rock was whole show, the beach is bad. We parked above the stairs down to the beach. Not much parking where we were, there might be other parking though. Stairs down to beach are muddy and slippery. The rock is very cool, and interesting to see. Be careful on beach while taking photos because the sand is usually wet and muddy, and shells are slippery. cool to check out, would recommend. read more

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This was a destination I had been looking forward to visiting for years after seeing pictures and hearing stories of other peoples' experiences at Cannon Beach ! First, the drive here along Route 26, from Portland, was just stunning as you drive through the forested areas. On this occasion a blanket of fog enveloped the valley and the pictures just don't do it justice as to how it looked in person. I went during the "off-season" right at the end of October and for me this was a great time to visit, as there were not too many people on the actual beach and it also made parking much easier. You can park in areas off the street, however, be careful as much of it you are not allowed to park on. If you park at "Haystack Rock" Public Parking it's just a short walk to the Cannon Beach Access. On this particular day a big storm was moving in and it really created a great atmosphere to photograph in with the moody skies and the ocean getting a bit more turbulent as the waves crashed into the seastacks. Would have loved to catch a sunset here, however, will have to do that on another visit and maybe a different time of the year to compare experiences. The trip didn't disappoint and highly recommend stopping here and exploring other parts of the Oregon Coast! read more

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Haystack Rock is the iconic landmark of the beach, and it looks amazing from whatever angle photo you take of it! The beach itself is enjoyable no matter what the weather is like. Sunny and clear it is gorgeous, while dark and rainy it has a certain ambiance. read more

Cannon Beach - Haystack Rock - Beaches Near Me

Cannon Beach is a very special place to me. In fact driving up and down the Oregon Coastline is a very special thing to do when it comes to enjoying coastal scenery and Cannon Beach is just a small part of that. It's also a very special place to a lot of other people too which makes for plenty of crowds and congestion also and especially in the summertime. It can also be busy when tourist season isn't in full swing too but it's certainly a noticeable difference. Cannon Beach is a great sandy beach and the Haystack Rock in view certainly adds a signature mark for the Beach and town. The town and Beach of course is child friendly but Cannon Beach still has a different pacing and atmosphere compared to another nearby beach town, Seaside where is feels more carnivalesque there which the little ones would be thrilled with there. So in that sense it seems it's more adult oriented and despite the high volume of people at times has a slower pace of life and a very pleasant "chill" vibe. The pictures I'm adding to my review are far from postcard worthy but Steve and I went here in the winter time and with that comes lots of rain so hanging out on the beach didn't sound appealing but watching the waves come in during the winter is quite impressive! I've taken pictures of the beach besides these but they are from the most recent visit. read more

Cannon Beach - A stormy winter day at Cannon Beach... but hey no crowds! Lol! - Beaches Near Me

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You must visit this beach. It's so beautiful and make sure you eat here too. The crab is so so good! read more

Cannon Beach - Cannon beach - Beaches Near Me

Love this beach. No matter how many times I'm here and whether in the summer or winter, it's beautiful. The sand is really soft, so be careful walking in it. Giant parking lot right by the beach. Free access. read more

Cannon Beach - Beaches Near Me

What's not to love about this iconic stop along the Oregon Coast? A must for any Goonies fans. Haystack and its needles are perfect for tide pool exploring at low tide. It was NOT low tide the last two visits we made here. Be extra safe at high tide. Never turn your back to the ocean as it can literally sneak up on you. A family walking towards us was covered soaking wet to the tips of their heads as we approached the beach. Be aware of the easiest exit to higher ground if need be particularly when visiting in winter. Sounds so ominous but better to be safe. Love that it's less crowded in winter cold weather. Parking can be a challenge especially in warm weather. Advice is grab a spot and just enjoy walking along the beach as necessary because that's the joy of the Oregon coast. One of the more populated areas along the northern beach. Advice is to go early in the day of off season. read more

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One of the most beautiful beaches I have seen and definitely worth the effort to come to. The finale to my Oregon Coast drive exploring as much as I could in a day. The beach is huge! The sand is white and soft. The water very cold. With views of fog coming over the surrounding forests and my heart soared at the beauty. Huge enough to not feel crowded despite it was a Saturday afternoon in the summer. Parking was a bit challenging and I don't want to get in trouble with the locals, but I found a spot on a residential street. The roads are gravely and I was sure to drive very slow as not to make a dusty road. And I was sure to read signs and not block any driveways. There was a public lot in town too. And if you're lucky enough to stay in a waterfront hotel you'll have parking. 10/10 beach. Be respectful and safe. SYOY! read more

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A beautiful stretch of beach around the Oregon Coast. It is so spectacular as the lava rocks were formed millions of years ago by the volcanos. This beach is usually secluded, unlike the hectic city beaches. You could go for a nature hike right behind you at the cliffs, and sunbathe (if you like) at the bottom. Or even just taking a stroll during the day. It is spectacular and beautiful. God's creations at its best! Parking is at the top of the cliffs, and the trails around may lead to other trails nearby, or down to the ocean. You will encounter different species of plants, and even wild berries that you can sample... lol. Becareful as the trails may be steep and strenuous. The loose dirt might make your trek more slippery. Crawl over some huge tree branches, and try not to kick the rocks, then you'll be fine. Nature at its best! read more

Cannon Beach - The famous Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach - Beaches Near Me

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Cannon Beach is one of my all time faves! So much wildlife here and the beach is huge so you can easily have some space all to yourself if you like. I especially love that the intertidal area around its famous Haystack Rock is protected as one of Oregon's seven Marine Gardens. And then above that intertidal line, Haystack Rock is protected as part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge! There are usually lots of volunteer researchers patrolling the protected areas around Haystack Rock to help keep all the creatures safe and educate people bc it gets super crowded - as well as lots of signs explaining the rules and how you can protect all the sea life. They even have QR codes to scan that lead you to research surveys so you can contribute the science and protection of this wonderful ecosystem! There are some small tide pools here but they're not the best and the areas around Haystack Rock that have the great tide pools are now closed off due to too much damage from the crowds. You can still see some sea-life around the rock though such as all the vibrant starfish and anemones. Been coming here for years - and my most recent visit was July 2023 where I discovered the nesting Tufted Puffins and Common Murres! I had no idea there were so many seabird colonies here! And I even witnessed some bird drama when one of the resident Bald Eagles flew down and snatched a baby bird right up off the rock for an easy meal!! TWICE!! I can't believe I got that on video and you can hear me gasping in horror at the end of one of them lol. The Rock has been in lots of films - most notably The Goonies. The ocean is just gorgeous- that minty blue way off in the distance. The beach is surprisingly clean given the crowds. The beach is easy to find and access. There's lot of free public parking scattered around the town but in the busy season you may have to wait a while so plan ahead. The town also has lots of art galleries, restaurants and shops within walking distance of the beach and a lovely farmers market once a week right across from the beach. There are public restrooms at the beach entrance as well. read more

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Cannon Beach is a gorgeous spot to spend a day splashing in the water, swimming, or just laying in the sand. If you're a fan of the Goonies, you probably recognize Cannon Beach's Haystack Rock as the geographic feature the kids use to navigate their map. Cannon Beach has been in a ton of other films too, like Twilight, Point Break, Free Willy and many others. Suffice to say, it's a very iconic piece of Oregon's coast. You will definitely want to snap a few pics when you get there, because the water, the rocks, and the beach are gorgeous, along with the coastline covered in sandy dunes, beach grass, and cute brightly-colored houses. I do recommend getting there quite early, though, if you want to get some serene photos, or if you're not a fan of crowds. It can get pretty intensely crowded in the later morning/afternoon. It's about an hour and a half drive from downtown Portland, so you can definitely hit the road early, pack a lunch, and make a day of visiting Cannon Beach. You definitely will not regret it! read more

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Love Cannon Beach. A must stop along the Oregon coast! Soooo beautiful. Free access to the beach. Gets busy but sooo worth it. read more

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Perfect spot to watch the sunset! The night we were there was a bit chilly (especially for late June) but the views were spectacular! It was an evening that as the sun was going down, the tide was rolling in. Which made for amazing wave crashed in the smaller rocks surrounding Haystack Rock. The beach was very clean and is very accessible from the small touristy town of Cannon Beach. It's legal to have a camp fire on the beach and many people were taking advantage to this. Perfect for a cool evening watch the sun go down. read more

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We visited Cannon Beach last week, and the weather was cloudy and somewhat windy. But overall this beach was wonderful and very peaceful. It was very clear that this beach is very popular for the locals. The beach was very clean and free of trash. It's a popular tourist destination because during lowtides you can view marine life on the nearby rocks. Our overall experience was awesome, and we will definitely return for another visit in the future. I loved this beach!! Tip: There are a few parking spots street side, but be mindful of the residents properties and dont park in their driveways. Respect privacy, be a kind traveler. @glampedlife read more

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Cannon Beach! One of the most beautiful places in Oregon! If you like lots of people and traffic. Not my fav. Expensive, did not run into any very helpful people. read more

Beautiful even on a cloudy day The breeze just sweeps away the clouds Easy to walk up, but don't climb up Sea gulls everywhere read more

Cannon Beach - Beaches Near Me

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Had the pleasure of visiting Canon Beach and it was quite beautiful. Even with cloudiness the beach looked picturesque. Water was clear and the beach wasn't packed which I appreciated. I drove from Portland which was scenic. Highly recommended. read more

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Cannon Beach is a nice spot, especially famous for the Haystack Rock check-in. When we visited in March, it was a bit cold and we got caught in the rain while walking along the beach. There are probably lots of things to do on the weekends, but we didn't stay long enough to explore everything nearby. We didn't see many people there, likely due to the weather. It's a nice place to stop by for some Instagram pictures of the famous rock. read more

Cannon Beach - The beach - Beaches Near Me

Cannon Beach, Oregon, is a coastal gem known for its iconic Haystack Rock. The town is definitely worth a stroll. It offers boutique shops, art galleries, and great dining options. I found a blonde rabbit and I thought s/he was take. Ooops. read more

One of the best beaches in Oregon. Do you like tide pools? They have it. A big rock for instagram worthy photos? It's here. Plenty of food and shopping, yup they have it. Do you like DOGS? If you don't, don't come here but if you love dogs this is the place. It's a clean beach, great for families and dogs. read more

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I love Cannon Beach I feel this part of town is gonna be my new summer retreat. I love that Cannon beaches really spread out has great restaurants and shopping and if staying in town here, make sure you rent a car to drive up and down the coast. read more

Never disappointed with a trip to Cannon Beach Oregon. The shoreline is long (4 miles) and a great long walk at low tide. Haystack rock is halfway mark from Tulovana parking lot (with bathrooms) to downtown Cannon Beach (more bathrooms). We've been coming here for 60+ years and it definitely has changed (much busier) but in a good way mostly. We like to come more off season (Oct-Mar) to feel like we own more of the beach. Hotel prices are lower off season but honestly we usually stay in Seaside which is a lot cheaper. Best place to eat in town after many meals here is THE DRIFTWOOD INN. Best (always hot) clam chowder (NewEngland style with OR (dab o' butter) touch) in PNW bar none! Best Ice Cream is Schweitzer's (they have black licorice ice cream!), Best crepes Crepe Neptune, Best CANDY is Bruce's Candy Kitchen for sure! Be careful of the sneaker waves though. Never turn your back on this ocean and you'll be safe! A drive up Ecola State Park to the top is the best view of the shoreline for sure. It's a skinny road so if you have a big RV it's a bit treacherous. I'll keep returning to CB till my EOL last visit! read more

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What an unbelievable sight to see! If you are in the area it is worth a stop. The Goonies and Point Break were filmed here (few other movies too)! There are starfish on haystack rock. Worth a trip for sure - pictures do not do it justice. read more

Cannon Beach - Haystack Rock - Beaches Near Me

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Probably the best beach in Oregon in my opinion. Parking can be a bit tough but if you go early enough and on a day that the bit colder, you'll probably get a nice spot we were right next to the land end so a mere block or less from the beach. read more

Cannon Beach - Beaches Near Me

This is my hometown, and my heart will always be here. What a magical place to have grown up in. A small mystical hamlet! Always so much to do. Fresh seafood abounds, you can get it yourself, go to the fresh seafood market, or eat out at an array of fabulous restaurants that are all over. Bruce's candy kitchen is a must! YUMO supply of all kinds of treats chocolate seafoam was always my favorite. The Cannon Beach bakery is awesome we love the haystack bread. Growing up my dad would get a huge maple bar still warm early in the morning. I like the bear claws. Blow me down good. We lived by Haystack Rock, love all that is beach, from the walks, boogie boarding, surfing, fishing, dune bugging, and exploring every inch of that huge beach. Then there was fishing at Elk Creek, the parks all over, kite flying, bonfire, sand castles, hikes, horseback riding, listening to the waves lap the shore, star gazing, whale watching, best wild blackberries on earth, huge elk populations, large art array of shops, (classes) cabins to rent...I could go on and on seriously hehe The Coastal Cascades hug the shore. You can hike the rain forest lush vegetation. Rich History of Indian lore, Lewis and Clark, Tillamook light house off shore. Geeze my heart swells with the love of my best friend CB! read more

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A great, historical beach that's about 2 hours from Portland. I decided to take a day trip out here to check it out. Haystack Rock stands out and for good reason. Parts of the movie, Goonies, featured this beach and rock. It was nice just finding a place to sit down and listen to the waves go by while being introspective. The Oregon Coast is so beautiful. read more

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Cannon Beach is such a beautiful area to walk by the water, there's the beach itself and the small town not far away. Many times you see adventurous surfers braving the cold Pacific waters around here. Haystack Rock towers on the shoreline. Waterfalls cascade onto the sand at Hug Point. Marine life peeks out at low tide. Those are some of the reasons why National Geographic listed Cannon Beach as one of the 100 most beautiful places in the world a few years back. read more

Cannon Beach - Beaches Near Me

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This is a nice beach to come and enjoy the view. You can also walk around in the sand as well. The walk wasn't so bad from where we parked. We just had to walk down some stairs and then the beach was right there. We came on the perfect day because it wasn't sunny or too hot. There were a decent amount of people enjoying the beach as well. They also have a public bathroom here which is not a potter potty so that's a huge win for me. read more

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Parking is free, but it's really difficult to find a spot due to the high number of tourists. The beach is incredibly beautiful, and you can enjoy the cool sea if you visit in the summer. Be sure to bring a jacket. A downside is that there are no facilities to wash off the sand. read more

Cannon Beach - Beaches Near Me

For my 700th Yelp review, I found it appropriate to do a piece on one of my personal favored destinations in the Continental United States - the fabulous Cannon Beach and its surrounds. The Cannon Beach waterfront and beaches which encompass Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock and the Tolovana Beach State Park are an impressive and unique must do experience when visiting the area. This extremely walkable beachfront and shoreline is a natural marvel. You'll encounter countless species of birds; you may even see some fish jumping around in the shallows. The majestic views are incredible. The endless beach, the rock formations, the extensive coastline - miles and miles of unobstructed walking and views. Of the many visits to the area, my Wife and I once stayed at one of the beach front inns that populate the coastal area and seashore. It was amazing! Our stay there gave us the opportunity to see both day and evening fascinating experiences. Early morning western views of fog and dew over the mountains and ocean, the sun breaking over the high country to the east, the daytime beauty of the surroundings, and the incredible sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. Open beach fires, lounging on the sand, picnics oceanside, wine sipping and s'mores, the list goes on and on. One memorable night after dinner and relaxing by the fireplace in our rented seaside cottage, we felt like a scene out of a stormy eerie night over the coast. Waves lashing the rocks below us, winds howling, rain pouring, the darkness - I enjoyed every moment of it, my wife did not! This is one of our favorite areas to visit when in Oregon... super highly recommended! By the way, the eateries and ale houses, as well as gift shops and galleries in town are fabulous and there are lots and lots to choose from. read more

This is a must-do when you're at the Oregon coast. Photos do not do it Justice!!! Enjoy the sounds of the ocean. Watch kids as they run into waves, squealing in delight when it rushes in. Smile at the dogs that love to get wet. Marvel at the many tidal pools. Talk to the enthusiastic volunteers that are there to protect wildlife from over eager tourists. We came at 1.5 hours after low tide and loved seeing Haystack Rock so up close, surrounded by tidal pools. We walked the beach almost an hour, and came back to Haystack 2 hours before high tide. Spectacular to see the change with the waves crashing in. read more

Cannon Beach - Cannon Beach 2 hours before afternoon high tide - Beaches Near Me

Fantastic way to spend the day admiring the beautiful Oregon coastline. Relaxing and tranquil and absolutely picturesque! read more

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I always heard about this place getting name dropped all the time, but finally had a chance to stay in the area. Of course the main point of attraction is the large coastline beach with soft sand, Haystack Rock, and the unobstructed views. Everything is pet friendly and beach campfires are allowed too. It's the best when the weather is sunny, which makes a huge difference versus when it is overcast. The town itself is quaint, clean, and very walkable. There's just enough touristy shops without going overboard. Being a foodie (duh) in a vacation town, of course there's not too much food variety or late night options, but there are some gems however. Most places I visited were filled with friendly enough faces and exchanges were straightforward without being over the top extra or conversational. Compared to nearby Seaside, if you need a place that is relatively more quiet and geared for relaxation, then you should be staying here instead. read more

Cannon Beach - Beaches Near Me

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